Mission to Africa

Mandy Wadman heard about Catherine’s work in an orphanage when attending Church one week, and was touched by her ministry and her message. They got talking, and Catherine requested that Mandy goes and sees first hand what she is doing, asking if she could offer some gymnastics tuition in her orphanage activity club. Mandy is going in August, and taking her two children, Jade (15) and Sam (13), who will also help her coach. Jade is training towards her level one qualification. Mandy is a single parent and strives hard to include her children in worthwhile ventures, as it’s a good lesson for them.

Stars Gymnastics Club is based at Steyning, Henfield and Lancing in West Sussex, as well as Stars Coaching Agency, which supplies BG coaches to local schools and clubs. Stars Gym Club was founded by Mandy and has grown from a few local classes at her children’s Sussex school, to a club with a large membership base and three sites.

They employ 15 coaches and have several hundred members who train from pre-school, to county competition. Mandy is supported by her two key coaches Mr Martin O’Hara who Heads the Women’s Artistic squad in her club, and Miss Heather Sampford who Heads the Boys groups and pre-school. Both are fully behind the project, as are all the other coaches in the club and agency. Most children train many hours per week. They also have a team of coaches who go in to schools to develop the sport further and talent spot.

Catherine Swanson has lived and worked in Tanzania, East Africa for 10 years. She is a nurse there and predominantly works with disabled children and children in the community. She is really looking forward to Mandy’s summer visit. Tanzania is one of the world’s poorest countries and children have very little to play with. But like kids everywhere they have stacks of energy and adore somersaulting, cartwheeling and inventing their own mini Olympics! Mandy will be working with them to learn some new skills which they can go on to develop. The great thing about gymnastics is that it is such a versatile sport and does not need expensive equipment.

They will also be holding a Club Championships in the summer, the proceeds of which will be going towards the trip and the orphanage. Mandy also plans to do fundraising activities for the orphanage in the future. If anyone is interested in donating or sponsoring gym equipment for the orphanage please contact Mandy on 01903 800024 or email wadmanmandy@aol.com

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